Kansas City homebuilding activity up slightly in September

Data from the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City showed 383 permits for single-family homes issued last month. Last month’s results were up slightly from 379 permits issued in September 2012.

Homebuilders in the Kansas City area reported another good month for construction activity in September, positioning the industry for its best year since before the recession.

Data from the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City showed 383 permits for single-family homes issued last month as low mortgage rates continued to entice buyers into the housing market. Last month’s results were up slightly from 379 permits issued in September 2012.

The latest activity boosted the number of permits issued through the first nine months of 2013 to 3,092, the highest year-to-date total since 2007, the association said. Last year, 2,406 permits had been issued through the first nine months.

“Clearly we are seeing increased building in subdivisions, which is good news for homebuyers,” said Sara Corless, executive vice president of the building organization. “We also are noticing a trend with infill and new home construction in established neighborhoods.”

Kansas City, Olathe, Overland Park and Lee’s Summit have issued the most permits for single-family homes so far this year, the association said.

Despite the surge in building activity in the eight-county area, the pace is still well off the 6,385 single-family permits issued in 2007. The association said 3,299 permits were issued in 2012.

The association also said 217 multifamily permits were issued in September, bringing the nine-month total in 2013 to 2,098. That’s the highest level since 2006, the association said.